box. “Someone isn’t going to hold down the assistant of a fucking Romano and stick needles into her arms, Stella.”
“In this case, that’s exactly what happened,” Stella hisses back.
She’s on her feet now, hands on his chest and shoving him out the bathroom doorway.
“We talk out here,” she says and throws the towel back to Brooks.
“What the fuck is going on? What the fuck are you doing this time?” he asks.
He didn’t mean for the question to sting but he knows it does. It wasn’t his intention to imply that she was getting them into some other shit like she did when she put a hit on a fucking mob boss of the highest-ranking.
That hit resulted in Isabella being forced into their lives.
“Did you really think I was going to stand down and not even try to find some way to get you out of this mess? My mess?” Stella asks.
She’s dead serious. She’s a one-woman show right now. Where he saw no way out because of his distress of what might happen to his family, Stella is fucking bold and making a way out.
Fucking commendable. It certainly is but it’s high-risk nonetheless.
“Stella,” he sighs. He shakes his head with resignation. “What is kidnapping Isabella’s assistant going to do? You met the bitch. This isn’t going to go well.”
“Brooks took her from Eden’s basement where they left her. To be used by men. Repeatedly, Adam. Why? I’m guessing because of what happened at dinner. Brooks followed them there that same night. She never came out of that building until he brought her out tonight. I trust Brooks and you know he’s stealth. They don’t know we have her or they’d be knocking on our door by now.”
Okay. Brownie points.
“They doped her up,” Stella continues. “She doesn’t do any of this by choice. You saw the woman she was at dinner with Jazzy. I know you’re not blind! THAT is the real Ariana.”
“I’m not going to argue that but what’s your point?”
“Adam, no one wants to live like this and I believe Ariana is no different. We save her, she can repay us with information. Any information can be useful. We’re Kings, Adam. We’re no one’s pawn. Remember?”
This is how Stella gained loyalty. He should have known. Many of Kings’ soldiers are loyal to their graves because Stella saved people. People who weren’t given a second thought otherwise.
“Doc’s here,” Brooks announces. Brooks, a prime example of Stella’s grace. The man leaves the bathroom and heads out of the bedroom. He assumes to go and greet the doctor.
“Do Derrick and the others know about her?” he asks.
“No. Brooks didn’t let me know he had her until he got back in town tonight. I sent him on a goose chase and his instinct told him Ariana needed the help. I trust his judgment,” she replies.
He runs his hand through his thick freshly washed hair.
Fuck. Drugs and overdosing. He fucking hated this shit. Why else would he choose to get rid of Jazzy’s mother? The chances of relapsing are way too fucking high. In this current situation, they don’t even fucking know how long she’s been using and what Ariana’s been given.
“Stay with her,” Stella pleads. “I have to get back to Rian before Derrick calls. And Brooks has to get rid of the car.” She bats her fucking lashes at him and he’s a fucking puddle. “Please?” she asks.
“Fuck,” he whispers and rolls his eyes.
Stella’s on her toes and gives him a quick peck as if she can twirl him around her slim finger the way she does with Derrick. It works most of the time. This time included.
“Thanks, Adam,” she whispers before she slips out of the room.
Hands on his hips, standing in the alone in the dark, he checks out the bedroom. It’s cozy enough and should make for a good private detox center. Better than most would have that’s for sure.
As for him being the detox counselor? He can’t even be sure he had the patience.
Fucking Stella.
When Brooks follows Dr. Heinz inside the bedroom, the man gives him an obnoxious grin like he knew Stella’s conned him into something he didn’t want to do.
Fuck Brooks too! His ass is going to be staying here with him.
He watches the sunrise from the only window in the bedroom and pockets his phone. He’d just sent a text to Jazzy, letting her know that Brooks is on his way to take her to school. Brooks was itching to get out of here anyway.